BDC operator, internet fraudster bag 500 hours of community service in Ilorin

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, secured the conviction of Abubakar Suleiman, a 51-year-old from Burya village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, for operating a Bureau De Change (BDC) business without a valid license issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Directorate also secured the conviction of Lawal Farauq from Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State for cybercrime-related offenses.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, convicted and sentenced both individuals, who were charged separately, after finding merit in the prosecution’s cases.

The charge against Abubakar stated that he operated a Bureau De Change business at Chikanda Market, Yashikira District, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State, without a valid license from the CBN. His actions were deemed a violation of Section 57(5) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020, and punishable under Section 57(5)(b) of the same Act.

Similarly, Lawal was charged with fraudulently impersonating one Johanna Smith via his iMessenger account in September 2023 to obtain money from one Mark Dewitt. He successfully obtained $70 through this fraudulent act, which contravened Section 22(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and was punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. EFCC prosecutors Aliyu Adebayo and Andrew Akoja presented evidence through witnesses, who were investigators with the Commission. The evidence included extra-judicial statements and monetary exhibits recovered at the time of the arrests.

After reviewing the prosecution’s evidence, Justice Awogboro found the defendants guilty and sentenced them accordingly. Abubakar was sentenced to 300 hours of community service at five hours per day and was ordered to report to the court with a discharge certificate upon completion.

In addition to his sentence, the court ordered the final forfeiture of CFA 3,360,000, N220,000, and N71,000 in counterfeit naira notes to the Federal Government.

Similarly, Lawal was sentenced to 200 hours of community service at five hours per day. The court also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 6s Plus used to commit the crime and the $70 he fraudulently obtained.